Alzheimers - DLA etc? means tested?

heretolearn_2

Hello

I wonder if anyone can confirm this?

My father has Alzheimers and my (also elderly) mum has to do a lot for him and they are struggling. But keep basically trying to avoid any outside help as they see it as a criticism of my mum! (that's another story anyway)

I'm sure they should be getting some sort of benefits to help out but they keep insisting they won't apply for anything means tested as they don't want anyone poking through their finances. they have pensions but no benefits, and they keep insisting they won't be elligable for any help anyway because of their pensions.

but they haven't actually checked this out, they basically just don't want to know or admit things are difficult.

I've been looking into things and I'm sure Dad could get some sort of DLA - but can anyone confirm if this is means tested at all or if it's just on medical grounds.
And then if he gets that, mum could get a carer's allowance?

this would help them so much as they could use it tp pay for things like someone to look after the garden, taxis to get Dad out (he can't really walk much) and so on, maybe someone to help in house a bit if we can persuade mum. But in any case, they both worked like Trojans all their lives so if they are entitled, they should have it!

elsien

How old are they, as to start a new claim for DLA the person being claimed for has to be under 65? If your dad is older than that, they need to be looking at attendance allowance instead which I'm pretty sure is not means tested.

If they don't want anyone official poking through their finances, they could get in touch with Age UK (used to be age concern) who can give some general advice on the various benefits and criteria and when they kick in. Plus would probably be quite helpful in assisting with any form filling and making sure they put down everything they need to.
(I remember having a long conversation with my grandmother who although she couldn't walk more than a few steps was convinced she wasn't entitled to a blue badge as she "wasn't disabled.")

heretolearn_2

they are both in their 80s. I looked at the .gov info for DLA though and under eligibility it didn't mention age. I'm going to look up attendance allowance now instead though, thanks for that.

Torry_Quine

Neither DLA or AA are means tested. The difference is that DLA is for under 65s and has a mobility component whereas AA is for over 65s and has no mobility component. However if in receipt of DLA it can continue into pension age. Please be aware of this as someone on the forum found this out the hard way.

If he gets DLA care at medium or higher rate or AA then she will be entitled to care allowance presuming she cares for him for over 35 hours per week and doesn't have income over £111 per week. This includes pension so she may only have an underlying entitlement

heretolearn_2

seems like attendance allowance is the one then thank you all. I will print out the forms and see if they will let me help them claim.

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Yes it will be Attendance Allowance.
There are 2 rates higher and lower. The higher rate depends on help at night.
The lower is £50 odd and the higher £70 odd. You can always ask a health professional to fill part of the form too. I know the consultants on our team do them all the time. It is not means tested either which is a great help.
There may also be voluntary agencies which can support your mum without cost or loss of face. For example perhaps a befriender for your Dad to give your mum a break. Looking after someone with Alzheimer's is not easy. It may mean waiting until something happens and the decision is taken out of your mum's hands. Sad,but true in my experience. Good job they've got you keeping an eye.

[Deleted User]

yes it would be AA,but mum not get carers allowance as the state pension is an overlapping benefits,AA is not means tested and AGE uk may send someone to help with the application forms if they ask for help

SandraScarlett

My DH has Alzheimers and both Age UK and Social Services will prove invaluable with the help they can give, not just monetary but with details of clubs, respite etc.

It's a terrible illness, and I'm younger than your Mum, who must be exhausted. Make sure she takes advantage of what's on offer. My DH goes to a club 2 or 3 times a week for a few hours, and it's wonderful for me to get a break.

Good Luck! :beer:

xx

stiltwalker

DFIL has alzheimers which has been gently arriving for a good long while now but escalated this summer after a fall and a lengthy stay in hospital. On his return home we managed to signpost MIL towards all sorts of help and S were also very helpful as part of his hospital release programme. She claimed AA for him with the help of someone from Age UK who came to the house to fill in forms for her. Although MIL is an extremely competent and intelligent woman she found it too hard to write down what she was now doing for her husband of 50+ years and also dealing with the concept of calling it 'caring' rather than 'marriage'. However it did the trick and he is now getting higher rate AA which means that MIL can afford to pay carers (they don't qualify for free help) one day a week several times over the day so she can have an entire day out of the house without worrying. We can see the benefit of this to her as she has returned to looking healthier and having a brighter attitude to life in general. We also know as parents of disabled children how valuable this respite is.
AA is not means tested MIL has a teachers pension and FIL a professional pension as well as their state pensions.

Hope you manage to get your mum sorted to apply.

Heycock

Hi. I'm 56 as is my wife who has early onset AD like her dear old mum before her. I've recently given up work to be her full-time carer. It's not easy for me to give advice because where I
live we possibly have the gold standard for alzheimers support and I know in other areas people are really really struggling. But my pennyworth...Attendance allowance. Age UK...fantastic support, contact your local office. Alzheimer's Association...local support in many areas AND ONLINE. Carers organisations, local AND online. Social Services...personal budgets for sufferers AND carer. Carer's Allowance...do you help with care? If you don't work there's a possibility you can claim CA. Send me a PM if you want to sound off. Seriously.

heretolearn_2

A quick update. Dad has now been awarded lower rate attendance allowance.

Things have got a lot better for them this year now they have finally accepted that they need some help, and various agencies have been involved (Alzeimers Soc., social services, Occupational Therapist etc) and been wonderful.

They had a couple of cleaners come in for the first time this week (even though parents weren't at all keen on the idea), who did a fab job, won my parents round, and now my mum is thrilled at the thought of never having to scrub the kitchen floor again!

Thank you all very much for the help and advice.